NEW BILL WOULD BRING $500 MILLION CASINO TO ALLEN COUNTY

(FORT WAYNE) - A new bill at the Indiana Statehouse could open the door for a major casino project in Allen County, kicking off what may become one of the biggest bidding battles of the 2026 legislative session. House Bill 1038 -- authored by Representative Craig Snow of Warsaw -- lays out where a casino would go but leaves the question of who would run it up for competition. Instead of relocating the struggling Rising Star Casino from southern Indiana, the bill calls for a full bidding process open to any qualified operator. Before anything moves forward, Allen County -- or a city or town inside the county -- would have to pass a resolution supporting a casino. After that, the Indiana Gaming Commission would open up applications. Casino operators would be judged on several factors, including economic impact, tax revenue, job creation, financial stability, community involvement, and whether they're prepared to invest at least $500 million into the project. The winning bidder would also be required to pay a minimum $50 million licensing fee into Indiana's general fund to secure the Allen County casino license. The proposal is the first major gaming expansion bill of the 2026 session -- and it's expected to spark intense debate in northeast Indiana and beyond.